Posted in acceptance, believers, Bible, Christian, church, denominations, faith, gospel, inspiration, relationships, religion, unity, tagged body, called out, calling, church, fishers of men, gospel, Jesus, salvation, set apart, theology, Word, worship on June 15, 2010|
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“Double Life” is a poem I created and appears in my first work of poetry called Reflections of a Believer. I was inspired by books like Chuck Colson’s The Body and C.H. Spurgeon’s The Soulwinner. I recently discovered a copy of the Body at a Goodwill while out of town and was led to post this in its entirety here. Be blessed.
Double Life
I have some things that I need to admit before the congregation at this time. First and foremost, I have to admit that I have been living a double life. No, I am not committed to more than one woman. And, rest assured, I am not in any relationship with another man. My double life has to do with church. I have been practicing more than one denomination for quite a while now and it’s becoming increasingly hard to hide it.
As many of you know, I have been Baptist most of my Christian walk. However, I was taken in when I realized that I have been acting as Jehovah’s Witness because I have witnessed His power in my life. I am also Unitarian because I believed in the unity and oneness of the body of Christ when I read Paul’s words about the unity of body in Ephesians. Yet, I must still admit that I am a practicing Methodist because I believe that there is a method to the madness that we live through day by day as saints in His name. I had sworn to secrecy my Pentecostal beliefs, for I truly believe that the Spirit fell upon men on the day of Pentecost in order to birth the early church. I keep trying to follow the apostles’ doctrine, so some have felt inclined to label me an Apostolic. I have had this burning within me to roll with being led by the Spirit, so I have also been called a Holy Roller as well.
It has been difficult trying to hide behind the cloak of secrecy, denying who I truly am all of these years. I have lied to myself and others, never revealing the full boldness that salvation in Jesus Christ has given me. I pray that God can forgive and allow me one more chance to live out who He has called me to be in Christ Jesus. I pray that my faith will allow me to take advantage of the opportunities and set aside all of the obstacles in order to truly experience the freedom of His salvation.
I would pray that you would forgive me as well, but I have sought the Lord with a pure heart in the mercy and grace that He supplies me. I would ask for you not to cast looks of condemnation upon me. Please don’t shower me with words of sorrow and pity when you encounter me. I would say for you to not call me any derogatory denominational names like ‘Jesus Freak’ or ‘Born-Again Believer’ (Are those really derogatory?). I merely pray that God allows you to see me as He sees you, one to be loved by Him with a love so deep that it caused Him to give His Son as a sacrifice for all of our multitudes of sins. I simply pray that you will join me in the unity of the baptism of His Spirit that is refreshed by the overflowing fountain of His shed blood.
I pray this in His name, the name above every name in heaven and in earth, by which all men may be saved: JESUS!! Yes, this is my prayer for forgiveness, not forgetfulness. This is my prayer of openness, not closed-mindedness. I pray this prayer in the power of him who empowers me to stand here today and admit that I’ve been doing more than two-timing. I admit it before the whole assembly. I’ve been living a double life.
Amen to that.
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